One of the largest expenses associated with healthcare in South Carolina is prescription drugs. In the past, you did not have to be concerned about the expense of drugs because the costs were picked up by your employer leaving you with only a small co-pay of $10 or $15 per prescription.  With QHDHP's and HSA plans becoming the preferred individual health insurance, the need for drug discounts is growing.

    Today, people are more concerned with the expense associated with name-brand prescriptions because they have to pay for them.  In fact, many prescriptions written today are never filled because of price.  Fortunately, there are ways to reduce drug costs in South Carolina.  One way to reduce your prescription costs is to get a drug discount card.  A South Carolina drug discount card can save you 10 to 50 percent or more on your prescriptions.  There are about 85 drug discount cards available and most are free.  Too good to be true? Actually, no.  Drug discount sponsors are generally paid a $1 to $4 fee by the solicited pharmacy.  Additionally, the pharmacy receives financial incentives from the pharmaceutical companies.

    For South Carolina insurance clients, I recommend the South Carolina Drug Card.  Participating pharmacies include: CVS, Publix, Eckerd Drugs, Walgreens, BI-LO Pharmacy, and Kmart Pharmacy, as well as hundreds of independent pharmacies.  There are additional discounts associated with the card when you use it at select retailers.  There are discounts on diabetic supplies, vitamins, hearing aids, and eyeglasses.

For more information about how to save money on health care in South Carolina, please visit Carolina Quoter.